Law changes in effect from September 1

An increase in the number of situations where penalty runs can be imposed - even retrospectively - was the main outcome of a review of cricket's laws by a Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) working party. The new laws will apply from September 1.

Captains will now need to be aware, especially in tight matches, that there are any number of situations where their side could be deprived of victory because of an infraction of the laws. These include players returning to the field without the permission of the umpires: should such a player field the ball, they will concede a penalty of five runs, and the ball will not count as one of the six in the over.

Another penalty applies to a team chasing quick runs in the quest for victory. If the batsmen are deemed to be deliberately running short runs they will be warned, and the warning will apply for all remaining batsmen in the innings. The batsmen must return to the ends they were at before the ball was bowled, and any runs scored off that ball will be disallowed, except in the cases of no-balls and wides. Should a short run happen again in the innings, the ball will be called dead, five penalty runs awarded and the batsmen reported to the controlling body for the match.

Penalty runs may also be awarded if a batsman is deliberately distracted or obstructed by a fielder. And if a fielder attempts to stop the ball with anything other than his body, the ball will be declared dead and five penalty runs scored.

The previous version of the Laws prevented, in certain circumstances, penalty runs being awarded from the last ball of a match. If the last wicket were to fall to the final ball, and penalty runs were also awarded, the batting side could have more runs than the opposition but also have lost all their wickets.

It was originally argued that the Laws could not allow what would effectively be a "win by no wickets". As part of the shift towards a stricter application of the penalty-run principle, the embargo on awarding penalty runs at the conclusion of the match has now been lifted. Such a result will now be known as a "win by penalty runs".

Another clarficiation decalred that a batsman can only be out hit-wicket in the period between the bowler entering his delivery stride and the batsman completing his actions in receiving the delivery. If he makes no attempt to play the ball and, in setting off for a run, breaks the wicket, he will be declared out if, in the umpire's view, he could have played at the ball. He can also be out hit-wicket while attempting a second stroke to prevent the ball hitting the stumps.

Wicketkeeping gloves will only be permitted a single piece of non-stretch material as webbing between the thumb and forefinger. No reinforcement or tucks will be allowed.

MCC have also awarded umpires greater to deal with the bowling of fast, short-pitched balls. If any delivery, after pitching, passes, or would have passed, over the head of a striker standing upright at the crease can be called a no-ball, even if it does not threaten to injure the batsman.